Ferry company Stena Line has been left "astonished" at the level of applications to the launch of a recruitment campaign.
The firm had 60 jobs up for grabs onboard its Irish Sea vessels - including 30 on the ships that sail between Wales and Ireland.
They have been inundated with responses - with 1,700 applications, nearly 30 for every role.
Stena Line has now undertaken the initial stage of the selection process and, for the first-time, is hosting two Open Days for prospective candidates in Birkenhead and Belfast.
Stephen Bryden, Stena Line’s Head of Onboard Sales and Services, said: “I am astonished by the public’s response to the A Life Less Ordinary recruitment campaign.
"We have never received so many applications.
"It really goes to show how many people are attracted to a life at sea with a company like Stena Line.
"Now our HR team has the challenge of how to sort and interview so many applicants, but that is a nice challenge to have.
"Thank you to every single person that has applied to work with us.”